Feb. 24, 2010: EMSL Analytical to Assist CDC in Legionella Research

WESTMONT, N.J. - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is conducting research on legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, and EMSL Analytical Inc. announced that it will be providing CDC with environmental samples of legionella taken at different times of the year from sites throughout North America on an ongoing basis.

According to CDC, each year an estimated 8,000 to 18,000 cases of Legionnaires’ disease occur in the United States with fatality rates between 5 to 40 percent. Of those who survive, there are often serious long-term health consequences after recovery. Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the inhalation of aerosolized water contaminated with legionella bacteria. CDC said it is an illness that is preventable provided routine monitoring and maintenance of potable water and cooling tower water systems are conducted.

EMSL Analytical of Westmont, N.J., and Houston, and EMSL’s LA Testing in South Pasadena, Calif., will participate in the CDC study. “We are honored and very excited to assist CDC in this very important and interesting study,” said Diane Miskowski, business development manager at EMSL Analytical. “We expect the results of the study to help us understand the environmental distribution of the different strains of this species and how those strains may impact the epidemiology of the disease.”

EMSL and LA Testing have been offering laboratory services since 1981. For more information on legionella testing services, visit www.legionellatesting.com.

Publication date: 02/22/2010

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